Apr. 12, 2007 - Science Fair and Newspaper

Here is what we have going....

Science Fair - Friday April 20 (a friday not Monday)  Either 10:00 am or an evening time if YOU prefer.  If enough people say that want an evening time we will move it. Otherwise, I will leave it at 10:00.

If you would list you Family name and topic here that would be most helpful.  If you would be willing to bring a small snack or drink, let me know.  The kids might get restless (especially the little ones).  Beth, do you mind mentioning this to Kelvin and Jeanine?

*my kids are doing bugs.

Newpaper Tour - Rockford Register Star Building, Rockford. 10:00 am.  Let's be there early enough to get everyone going in the same direction.  I am sure that we will be grabbing lunch afterwards at a nearby eating establishment, so if anyone wants to join in that fun, you are most welcome.

May activiteis - Our next scheduled activities was for May 4, 18, 25.  These dates are kinda messed up so we will change them so we aren't overwhelmed.  My thought is this...

May 11 - Henry Villa Zoo in Madison.  Leave Beloit by 9:00 together.  We could pack a lunch and eat at the nearby park after the zoo or at one of the nearby resteraunts.  My kids enjoy the park there, so I would vote for the picnic.  However, given our strange weather, if it is still cold by then we would have to make alternative plans.

May 25 - Home school Olympics - We need to pick a park.  We always used Page Park for our Berean olympics, but if someone has a better idea, I would be more than happy to try it.  We want somewhere not too too busy, so we can set up races etc.  I don't know if we need to clear it with the Park district either. I will have to check that out.  We will need to make or buy some ribbons as prizes.  The kids should really enjoy this.  Also, sack or picnic lunch would probably be the best idea for the day. 

Mar. 24, 2007 - Passover and Science Fair

Hello Ladies,

I know that you are all looking at your schedules and wondering what we are doing for the next few scheduled activities.

We have scheduled activities for March 30 and April 3.  I think that we should just plan that Passover Dinner for March 30 and do nothing on the 3^rd.  We are used to having activities on Fridays anyway.  We will meet at 10:00 and plan activities and eat and be done by noon.  My husband will be coming to present a Christian Passover service geared towards the children.  We can each prepare some food that would be fitting for the situation.  Pork would obviously not be an option J  

I will put together the activities and such with my husband. You all shouldn’t have to do much other than food.  You can research recipes on the internet and you can decided what you would like to do.  We will obviously want to keep it kid friendly, but still in the spirit of Passover.  Should be fun and interesting!

The other activity we have planned is our Science Fair for April 23.  I am personally very excited about this activity.  My kids are getting excited too.  I did some research on the internet.  There is one very neat site that would be of much help (in my opinion ) to you.

http://school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/scifairstudio/handbook/index.html

I don’t want these projects to be a huge undertaking and stressor for you.  This is what I am thinking as far as the projects.

1. Each family picks a topic that their family can study.  We are leaning towards the human body or bugs and we will do a unit study for the next month on it. We should share our topics with the group so we do not duplicate and all can learn from each other.  
2. Each family builds a display board to use in presentation to group on science day. 
3. I am not going to bore you or insult you with details on how to do a science project.  I am planning on using the internet to get a basic form and adapt it to my family and age groups.  I will have Noah write an SHORT paper on the subject and my girls will probably color or draw pictures related to the topic we chose.  
4. Each family will do a short oral presentation to the group on science day.
5. Each family will do a “project” related to their topic.  We will either be collecting bugs or building a human body.
6. The point of all this is to HAVE FUN and learn about a specific topic with our kids.  This shouldn’t be drudgery for the kids or us moms!!!!!

The only question I have as far as Science Day is whether you want to do it during the morning, afternoon, or evening (With dads to participate)  Also, we might want to consider snacks so they don’t get antsy and whiney J

Mar. 14, 2007 - Are you out there ladies???

I tired to get a field trip set up for Friday but they can't get us into the Newspaper until April.

I guess that we will be having our Birthday Party instead.

Beth Do you mind making sure Brad's mom and Kelvin remember that we will be there at the Church.

I will bring a birthday cake and Ice cream

Let me know who wants to bring what:

Tableware / decorations

Birthday party Games -

Punch or drinks -

Something Salty or more wholesome to eat

 I will put together a list of names for the birthday exchange.  I will email it.

I am so sorry that I am not getting to this earlier.  I am not really together yet again.

Feb. 9, 2007 - Just a note...

This is Beth.  I have a few pics from our visit to the tv station.  I could try to post them here if that is okay with everyone. Just let me know.

Feb. 6, 2007 - Valentine Party

I believe that this may be better discussed in person on Friday.   Most of the moms should be present and we can make final arrangements then.  Please come armed with your ideas so we can plan rather quickly because we will have many children running around.  Any ideas can be discussed here also.  Here is where I am at.

Snacks – half bring healthier alternatives, half bring the fun junk the kids are all looking forward too.

Drinks  - pink lemonade maybe?

Tableware – Dollar Tree? 

Games or craft – Games can be simple.  I will do some searching on the ineternet before Friday.  Craft could be VERY simple too.  Just something enjoyable.  We don’t even have to do both. It is up to everyone else. 

Valentines swap – We should put together a list of who is coming and distribute it so we can write the needed names on the envelopes.  This really helped last year.  I can email all a copy when we know who is coming.  Everyone can bring a box or bag to carry their Valentines in.  

This should take about two hours and then we can head our separate ways before the day gets crazy.

Please read the following two entries about a name for our group, and what we are doing on Friday for our activity.

Thanks,

Tancy 

Feb. 6, 2007 - We Need A Name

We truly need a name for this little group.  It is hard to call places and ask for tours and such when we don’t have a name. I know that sounds silly, but it is true.  I felt quite dumb telling the tour coordinator (Eric Sorenson – the weather guy at WREX) that we were a homeschool group, but didn’t have a name to use.  This week is it.  We NEED a name.  Post your suggestions.  Get Creative.  Get Bold (Yes Beth that was directed at you).   

We have so many directions we can go with on this.   We could use something geographical – like Stateline Homeschoolers.  Or something biblical – form the Greek or Hebrew.  We would need to enlist some local scholars help maybe?  Or something just cute and fluffy.   Time to brainstorm.

Thanks,

Tancy

Feb. 6, 2007 - Our Next Activity

WREX – Our next activity will be on Friday February 9^th at 11:30.  Everyone should have their children dropped off and ready be to leave my home by 11:30!  I think that we should make some sort of lunch plans because of the time of this activity.  I would be willing to order pizzas (There are many places with $5 specials these days) or we could pick up papa murphy’s and cook them here.  I need your input on this.  If we do have pizza, we could feed the little kids while the big kids are gone and the big kids could eat upon their return.  I will provide the dishes and cups needed.  I can make lemonade or something similar for all to drink.  If someone would be interested in bringing some sort of cookie or dessert, let me know.

 Stephanie and Theresa have both volunteered to help watch the little ones.  We can decide on Friday how many moms we have to have to keep order at the station.

Thanks,

Tancy 

Feb. 5, 2007 - Upcoming Events?

This is Tammy ~

Just want to know the details for Fridays trip to the TV station and any plans for  Valentine's Day.

Jan. 26, 2007 - Ideas...

Tancy Speaking....

I have been on the phone trying to figure out an activity for us to do...

Here is where I am at thusfar....

WREX- They give tours M-F at the noon and 6:00 broadcasts.  Maximum of around 20-25. They didn't have Feb. 2 open, but they did tentatively book us for the 9th (Which I KNOW isn't on the calendar) I can call back and cancel if there is no interest.  They would encourage us to leave those under 5 at home. I would be willing to open up my home for the little ones and stay with them if someone would take responsibility for the older two.   They would actually be in studio and touring the stations. Sounds neat. If things aren't crazy, there is a chance we would be on the news at the end of the broadcast.  Cool opportunity, but we would HAVE TO HAVE A NAME!!!!

Rockford Register Star - They give school tours and I am waitin for a returned call from Bea the promotions coordinator. 

Burpee - Wondering IF anyone is interested in this. Let me know and I will pursue it.

Beth - How is it going with the recycle Center.

Tammy - Did you say you were calling someone????

Did anyone make a formal date for us at GM after the cut off date? I found some info online, but know nothing else - 

I have no formal plans set for next Friday yet.  If you want the Tv station tour, I would think we wouldn't meet on the 2nd. 

Any body have anything to add or ask?????

Jan. 19, 2007 - Some possible ideas for our next meeting, or other meetings...

Has anyone thought about maybe going to the tv station, or somewhere that talks about the weather-a meteorologist's weather center, or whatever it may be called.  What about the Discovery Center-although I am sure many have gone there already on their own.  Some other ideas:

Fast food restaurant, see how it works

A tour of the hospital

Frito Lay Plant

Burpee Museum

Planetarium(not sure if there is one around here)

The paper plant-I think somewhere near South Beloit/Rockton

Just some ideas, leave comments if something sounds good.

Jan. 18, 2007 - Our next meeting

I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. 

February 2 - We have a sledding activity scheduled.  After talking to several moms, I have the impression that it might not be a great idea for us to go sledding.  So many little kids might make it difficult without our husbands to helps us, so I am wondering if we should plan an alternative activity. So what do you think we should do.  The floor is open

February 14th -  Our valentine's party

Just a note that this is a WEDNESDAY, not a Friday. 

We need to divide the responsibilities like we usually do.  

Food -
Everyone bring a food/snack, but divide the junk and healthier stuff????

Activities -
Valentines exchange -  Everyone bring a decorated box or basket and valentines for other children

Games?  Lots of possilbities here - Anyone want to head this up?

Crafts?  Don't know if we need one, if we play games.  We have done crafts at the last couple church meetins.

The only idea that I (Tancy) had was to bring cupcakes unfrosted, and supply frosting and sprinkles/etc. and allow them to decorate the cupcakes at the party.  Could be fun, but then again could be VERY messy.

So what does everyone think??????

Jan. 18, 2007 - Here it is ladies

Our little blog.  We never came up with a catchy title, so this is what I got.  Remember, I am not the creative one!  I will make sure that everyone gets the log in information and we can start to communicate through this blog.  As soon as can find my schedule, I will get it posted and we can get a little more organized.

As you all know, tomorrow's meeting has been cancelled.  A very informal meeting tomorrow at 1:00 at Sapora Playworld for anyone who wants their kids to run a little!

_______________________________________________

I just wanted to add a couple other things....

Remember some of us do post on blogs here at homeschoolblogger.  So you might see our usernames pop up here and there. We will try to identify our real names :)

Please remember that some of us do NOT post our children's names on the blogs.  We have different ways of referring to them.  You can chose how you are going to refer to your own children, but please respect other's choice.  Do not use anyone else's child's real name.  There are a lot of sickos out there, and we try and protect our kids as much as possible. 

The same refers to pictures.  We can create a secure place to share photos of our group activites that will be password protected.  It agains protects our kids from sickos.  We won't use this blog to post any pictures of kids just to protect the little people. 

Thanks SO much ladies.

Tancy